Update: And the winners are ...

Thank you to all who participated in the 2025 Student SteelDays Contest!

We would like to recognize and congratulate the following winners:

• Michael Hwang (Penn State)
• Sudan Pandey (University of Arizona)
• Kensington Richards (University of Michigan)
• Hans Lagerquist (University of Minnesota Twin Cities)
• Nathan Neblett (Old Dominion University)
• Angel Quirarte (Oregon State University)
• Kaixin Chen (University of California, San Diego)

Ready to Test Your Sustainable Steel Savvy?

This year, SteelDays is challenging you to explore the future of sustainable construction with our SteelDays' Sustainability Showdown! This exclusive quiz is your chance to show what you know about steel's powerful role in building a greener future, all from the comfort of your computer!

The contest is designed to be a fun, engaging way to learn about structural steel's key sustainable advantages, including:

• The Circular Economy: Discover why structural steel is the ultimate circular material, endlessly recyclable and reusable without losing its quality.
• Low-Carbon Production: Learn how American structural steel, made with recycled scrap in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs), is among the least carbon-intensive in the world.
• Data-Driven Sustainability: Understand the importance of transparent, third-party verified data like Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) in making informed material choices.
• Design for a Greener Future: Explore smart strategies for reducing embodied carbon through material optimization and designing for adaptability and deconstruction.

How It Works

This trivia-style quiz game consists of three rounds of multiple-choice questions, and you’ll receive points for correct responses.

• Round 1: Test your knowledge about the steel production process and its connection to sustainability.
• Round 2: Get familiar with sustainability acronyms like EPD, LCA, PCR, and more.
• Round 3: Explore design strategies for reducing embodied carbon in steel projects.

We’ll provide you with all the resources you need to find the answers (And don’t worry--you won’t need your calculator or AISC Steel Construction Manual for any of the questions!).

Participants will be ranked by the total number of points received, with the top scorers receiving a prize!

Ready to Play?

First, you'll need to be a student member to participate. Find your AISC student member information to log into aisc.org. (Hint: Did you buy an AISC Steel Construction Manual through your professor? You may already be a member!)

If you aren’t already a member, join now! It’s easy--you just need to complete the application and provide a copy of your student ID as well as a copy of your current class schedule. If you have any questions about your membership, contact [email protected].

Then, log into the AISC site (upper right hand corner of this page), use the link below to register, and start the game when you’re ready.

Special note for educators

Educators can also access the contest, so you may log in with your AISC membership credentials to get a preview and try your hand at the quiz as well (but sorry--you won't be eligible for the great prizes!).

Prizes

The winners will be eligible for the following prizes:

• 1st Place: Kindle Scribe
• 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Place: Timbuk2 laptop backpack
• 5th, 6th, and 7th Place: Box of AISC Swag

If there is a tie, we’ll do a random drawing to select the winners. We’ll announce the winners by Friday, October 31, 2025.

About SteelDays

Every year, steel mills, fabrication plants, and all sorts of other facilities open their doors during SteelDays to show the world how proud they are to be part of this industry. It’s a great opportunity for students, architecture, engineering and construction professionals, and others to gain a deeper understanding of what goes into building the nation’s future.

Visit aisc.org/steeldays for more information. (And ask your professor about organizing a field trip to a local fab shop--AISC is offering grants!)

Questions?

We’re available at [email protected].